Posts tagged ‘Airline’

« Older Entries  |  
18/01/2017

Air India starts selling seats in female-only section – BBC Newsbeat

Air India has begun selling female-only seat sections.

The restriction will apply to the front row of six seats on economy flights and comes after reports some women were being groped by other passengers.

A general manager from Air India told The Hindu they wanted to reassure passengers who were travelling alone.Meenakshi Malik said: “We feel, as national carriers, it is our responsibility to enhance comfort level to female passengers.

“In cases of unruly behaviour, the airline crew are authorised to take action as per the law

Jitendra Bhargava Executive Director, Air IndiaThe airline will also now carry two pairs of restrainers to deal with disruptive passengers who can not be controlled.

From later this week, the six seats will be made available on the Airbus A320 aircraft on flights within India.

The women-only seats may be extended to other flights in the next few months.

Single passengers will be able to request the seats when they check in, without any extra cost.

The seats on the very front row will be made available at check-in

Not everybody connected to the airline is happy with the move though.

Former Air India Executive Jitendra Bhargava told The Hindu: “To my knowledge, this happens nowhere in the world. Planes are not unsafe for women passengers.”

In cases of unruly behaviour, the airline crew are authorised to take action as per the law.”The airline is no stranger to controversy.In 2015, bosses told some staff they were too fat to be air attendants and were costing the company a fortune in fuel.

Source: Air India starts selling seats in female-only section – BBC Newsbeat

Posted in aviation, bad behaviour, Economics, groping, India alert, Social & cultural | 1 Comment »

Tags: , , ,
23/06/2016

Tata patriarch’s aviation ambitions a step closer as India opens up | Reuters

Officially at least, Ratan Tata, patriarch of one of India’s wealthiest business families, retired in late 2012. In reality, he has been a driving force behind Tata’s bet on airlines and a rare public campaign to open up the booming aviation sector.

The $100 billion Tata group conglomerate is a major beneficiary of the decision last week to open up aviation in India, making it easier for start-ups to fly overseas sooner.

The decision is no panacea for Tata, whose airlines – Vistara and AirAsia India – have had a slow start in a competitive market dominated by IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation (INGL.NS), and Etihad-backed Jet Airways (JET.NS), both of which opposed the rule change.

But it marks a victory for 78-year-old Ratan Tata, and ends more than two years of airlines lobbying, of Twitter rows and of frequent public statements from the usually circumspect steel-to-salt group.

“This was a David-and-Goliath kind of situation,” said a source close to Tata group. “There was huge lobbying from the other side.

“Ultimately, sources familiar with the talks said, it was Ratan Tata, a trained pilot, who was key to sealing the deal, capitalising on his clout.In a message earlier this year, he called for “a new open market economy” and said airlines lobbying against a rule change was “reminiscent of protectionist and monopolistic pressures by vested interests’ entities who seem to fear competition.

“A spokesman for Tata Sons, which promotes the group, denied Ratan Tata was directly involved, saying he had “nothing to do with operations or management of either of the airlines” after his retirement, and that views he expressed were personal.

Source: Tata patriarch’s aviation ambitions a step closer as India opens up | Reuters

Posted in aviation, Economics, India alert | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
15/08/2015

China Eastern to buy 15 Airbus jets for $3.6 billion | Reuters

China Eastern (600115.SS)(0670.HK), the country’s No.2 airline by market value, plans to acquire 15 Airbus (AIR.PA) jets for about $3.6 billion to meet booming demand for air travel.

The logo of Airbus Group, Europe's largest aerospace group, is pictured in front of the company headquarters building in Ottobrunn, near Munich February 26, 2014. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

Airbus is scheduled to deliver seven A330s in 2017 and a further eight in 2018, China Eastern Airlines Corp (CEA.N) said in a statement to the Shanghai stock exchange.

“The company is purchasing 15 Airbus A330 planes to help to replace older planes that will retire over the next few years. It will also help to meet rising passenger demand for mid and long routes,” China Eastern said.

China will be the world’s largest air passenger market by 2034, according to the International Air Transport Association, attracting interest from foreign airlines.

Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) is poised to become the first U.S. carrier to own part of a Chinese peer, announcing plans last month to buy a 3.55 percent stake in China Eastern for $450 million and gaining an “observer” seat on its board.

In a separate statement on Friday, China Eastern reported first-half net profit up sharply to 3.56 billion yuan ($557 million) from only 15 million yuan a year earlier, citing lower fuel prices and strong travel demand.

via China Eastern to buy 15 Airbus jets for $3.6 billion | Reuters.

Posted in aviation, China alert, Economics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
28/07/2015

SpiceJet reports $11.2 million net profit in Q1 | Reuters

Budget airline SpiceJet Ltd(SPJT.BO) reported on Tuesday a net profit of 718 million rupees ($11.2 million) for the three months ending June, after cutting costs and flying more passengers.

SpiceJet aircrafts prepare for landing and take-off at the airport in Mumbai July 15, 2008. REUTERS/Punit Paranjpe/Files

SpiceJet made a net loss of 1.24 billion rupees in the same quarter a year earlier.

India’s second biggest budget carrier by market share, which last quarter made its first profit since 2013, is in the midst of a recovery plan after it almost collapsed late last year.

Under new Chairman Ajay Singh, the airline has cut routes – its capacity is down a third since last year – and costs.

It said on Tuesday that its load factor – the percentage of an airline’s carrying capacity it has filled – rose to 89.8 percent in the quarter, a rise of almost 15 percent from last year.

Sustained profitability has eluded most of India’s airlines for the last few years amid fierce competition for fares and high operating costs, despite the country’s aviation market growing at one of the fastest rates worldwide.

SpiceJet shares jumped after news of the results, ending up 7.4 percent as the wider market .BSESN fell 0.4 percent.

($1 = 63.9400 rupees)

via SpiceJet reports $11.2 million net profit in Q1 | Reuters.

Posted in aviation, Economics, India alert | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
28/07/2015

Delta to buy 3.55 percent stake of China Eastern for $450 million | Reuters

Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) has agreed to buy 3.55 percent of China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd (600115.SS)(0670.HK), a move that would make it the first U.S. carrier to own part of a Chinese airline.

The deal may prompt Delta’s rivals to beef up partnerships with Chinese carriers in an effort to secure their place in a country that Delta expects to become the biggest market for travel from the United States.

Delta’s purchase challenges rival United Continental Holdings Inc (UAL.N), the leading U.S. airline for service to China. United Chief Executive Jeff Smisek said Thursday during an investor call that the airline would be “keenly interested” in exploring a Chinese joint venture once the United States and China negotiate an Open Skies agreement that would ease air route restrictions.

Atlanta-based Delta said it will invest $450 million in China Eastern’s Hong Kong-traded stock, which has nearly tripled over the past 12 months even as broader Chinese stock indexes have plunged.

Delta said it will get an “observer” seat on China Eastern’s board. The move may pave the way for Delta and China Eastern to seek approval to coordinate pricing and flight capacity.

However, larger tie-ups with antitrust immunity cannot happen until an Open Skies agreement is in place, which could take years. Currently, governments specify which airlines can fly which routes, and how often.

Chinese carriers have been “launching far too much capacity across the Pacific,” industry consultant Robert Mann said. “Everybody is looking for a stronger form of joint-venture partnership for the day when China and the U.S. have Open Skies.”

For now, Delta and China Eastern say they will invest in services so travelers have a seamless experience on the airlines, which share flight codes on 80 routes including subsidiary Shanghai Airlines. The partnership will grow Delta’s foothold in China Eastern’s Shanghai hub, a key market for business travel.

The transaction is subject to approval by each company’s board.

Delta is investing in foreign carriers, taking small stakes in one airline in Mexico and one in Brazil. It also owns 49 percent of Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd (VA.O) and has used its position to shift the UK carrier’s routes to Delta’s advantage.

via Delta to buy 3.55 percent stake of China Eastern for $450 million | Reuters.

Posted in aviation, China alert, Economics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
26/03/2015

Hainan Airlines to buy 30 Boeing 787-9 jets, worth $7.7 billion by list price | Reuters

Hainan Airlines Co Ltd (600221.SS), China’s fourth-largest carrier, said on Wednesday it plans to order 30 Boeing Co (BA.N) B787-9 jets as it seeks to expand international routes to tap into growing demand for overseas travel from China.

The Boeing logo is seen at their headquarters in Chicago, April 24, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young

The order would be the biggest this year for the jet, worth $7.7 billion (5 billion pounds) according to list prices. It would also boost the aircraft maker’s 787 programme backlog to 855 planes.

China’s airline passengers are increasingly looking beyond the mainland for travel opportunities. In 2014, Chinese travellers made more than 100 million trips overseas in a year for the first time, up sharply from 8.4 million in 1998, official data show.

Hainan Airlines added two long-haul routes to North America and Western Europe last year and plans major international expansion this year, Cai Zhiquan, a brand manager told Reuters. On Thursday. it reported net profit jumped 20 percent in 2014 to 2.59 billion yuan ($417 million).

“We’ll be flying from major hubs in China to second- or third-tier cities overseas,” said Cai. “At the same time, we’ll also open up more routes from inland Chinese cities to major hub cities elsewhere.”

via Hainan Airlines to buy 30 Boeing 787-9 jets, worth $7.7 billion by list price | Reuters.

Posted in aviation, China alert, Economics, Tourism | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
06/02/2015

Record spending spurs race by governments for Chinese tourist dollars | Reuters

Embassies are re-writing visa rules and governments are hammering out aviation pacts as record spending by Chinese travelers sets off a race around the world for a share of the Chinese tourist dollar.

Chinese spending on international travel in 2014 rose to $165 billion from $129 billion in 2013, the biggest percentage increase in two years, according to data released by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange last week.

Chinese disposable incomes have been steadily rising and would-be travelers got an additional boost in the past year from favorable foreign exchange rates, with the yuan appreciating more than 10 percent against the yen and the Australian dollar. The gains versus the euro have been even greater, at more than 14 percent, and the yuan set a record against the single currency last month.

Governments near and far are keen to get their countries onto Chinese itineraries. In November, the United States signed a landmark deal with China extending one-year visas issued to Chinese travelers to up to a decade. This year Malaysia and Indonesia are planning visa exemptions, while Thailand is considering exempting visa fees, which were briefly suspended last year. Australia in January signed an agreement with China allowing more passenger flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou with immediate effect.

Air traffic data for China’s big airlines confirms a rising preference for overseas travel in the world’s most populous nation. Air China’s international routes recorded 14.6 percent growth in 2014 in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), a gauge of traffic, versus 6.1 percent for domestic routes, Reuters calculations show. China Southern Airlines‘ international RPK growth was 20.2 percent versus 10.0 percent domestically. China Eastern Airlines posted international RPK growth of 4.4 percent.

via Record spending spurs race by governments for Chinese tourist dollars | Reuters.

Posted in China alert, Economics, Tourism | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
08/08/2014

Rats On Planes — A Distressingly Common Problem – India Real Time – WSJ

After a rat was discovered aboard an Air India Ltd. plane at the Delhi airport, a spokesman for the country’s state-owned flag carrier said rodent stowaways are a “rare occurrence.”

If only that were true. In fact, rats and other pests often find their way onto jetliners in India and around the world.

With thousands of flights each day handling large quantities of food for passengers as well as baggage, rodents and insects sometimes manage to hitch a ride on food catering trucks or luggage trollies to get inside planes despite hygiene checks.

“We get requests to fumigate four or five planes each month,” said an official of India’s state-run Central Warehousing Corp., which offers pest-control services to airlines, ports, railways, shipping companies and government offices in India.

The official, who declined to be named, said Central Warehousing offers two types of pest treatment to airlines. The most common is spraying pesticides inside aircraft cabins to keep out mosquitoes, cockroaches and other insects.

“The second is fumigation and it is done only when a rat or rat droppings are spotted inside an aircraft,” he said.

Fumigating an aircraft isn’t easy. The plane needs to be isolated, sealed and then pumped full of lethal gas. After about six hours, the aircraft is ventilated to clear the toxic fumes.

The official said the fumigation procedure was carried out on the Air India Airbus A321 that had rodent issues this week. The official said he wasn’t sure whether there was one or more rats inside the plane.

An Air India official had said there was only one rat inside the Airbus A321 jet when it landed at New Delhi on a flight from the eastern metropolis of Kolkata. He denied a Times of India report that said there were “scores” of rats inside the plane.

Pests afflict all airlines. A pest-control company in Southeast Asia said his company has helped clear rats out of planes belonging to two Asian airlines. But airline companies like to keep such matters quiet, and often ask exterminators to sign confidentiality agreements, he said.

The Central Warehousing official said the company’s pest control business for Indian carriers suffered a setback after Kingfisher Airlines stopped flying in 2012 but is now optimistic that business will rebound as new airlines like AirAsia India Pvt.  and Tata SIA Airlines Ltd. set up base in the country.

via Rats On Planes — A Distressingly Common Problem – India Real Time – WSJ.

Posted in India alert | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
08/04/2014

Singapore Airlines to Start First-Ever A380 Superjumbo Flights into India – India Real Time – WSJ

Singapore Airlines Ltd.C6L.SG +0.68% will be the first commercial carrier to operate Airbus A380 superjumbos into India next month, after authorities there lifted a years-long ban on the world’s biggest jetliner.

The first A380 delivered to Singapore Airlines arrives at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse Blagnac, southern France, in this file picture taken October 15, 2007. Reuters

Singapore’s flag carrier says starting from May 30 it will deploy the double-decker A380, which seats up to 471 passengers, on daily flights to New Delhi and Mumbai, India’s two largest aviation hubs.

Those flights will replace two existing daily services currently flown by smaller Boeing 777 aircraft that are timed about 90 minutes apart, helping boost cost efficiencies for the airline. Another daily 777 service to both cities will remain unchanged, according to the airline.

Major airlines have been lobbying to fly the A380 into India since the aircraft’s commercial launch more than six years ago. Analysts say it will help alleviate worsening congestion at India’s major international gateways, particularly since the number of passengers is expected to rise in the coming years.

More In Singapore Airlines

Entry of Foreign Airlines Will Benefit Travelers

Tata Set to Take-Off Back into Aviation

Tata Group Charts Return to the Skies

Air India Bets on Frugal Indian Consumer

India prevented the A380’s entry for years because the government feared that foreign carriers would gobble up passenger traffic from state-owned Air India and other domestic carriers using the large planes. None of India’s carriers operate the jumbo jet.

India’s civil-aviation ministry finally lifted the unofficial ban in January, permitting A380 flights to and from New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore as part of efforts to liberalize the aviation sector and revive growth.

Nine of the 10 airlines that currently operate A380s have scheduled flights into India, with at least five having expressed interest in flying the large jet into the country.

via Singapore Airlines to Start First-Ever A380 Superjumbo Flights into India – India Real Time – WSJ.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Posted in aviation, Economics, Good news, India alert | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , ,
13/12/2013

China Says Pilot Should Be Able to Land in Low Visibility, Battling High Traffic and Pollution – China Real Time Report – WSJ

If you want to fly in China, you need to be able to land in the smog.

China’s civil aviation regulator has set new rules mandating senior airline pilots operating on major routes into Beijing’s airport be certified to land aircraft under very low visibility, a move to help ease the nation’s worsening air traffic bottlenecks amid often heavy pollution.

China’s major airlines say they have been giving pilots additional training to comply with the new rules, which take effect Jan. 1, according to the carriers and state media.

The decision comes amid worsening pollution across China cities that at times is affecting commercial airline traffic. Last week, thick smog enveloped Shanghai and parts of eastern China,  cutting visibility in the city of Nanjing to less than 50 meters and resulting in many flight delays and cancellations.

Thick smog impacting visibility has also caused cancellations and delays at Beijing Capital International Airport, the nation’s busiest and worst in terms of on-time performance, with only 45% of flights departing on time in November, according to travel industry monitor FlightStats.

Depending on weather conditions and runway infrastructure, modern jetliners have sophisticated instruments to help them land in little or no visibility, such as foggy conditions. Pilots, though, need additional certification to perform such approaches, which usually don’t compromise safety. Airlines have varying rules on minimum visibility levels acceptable for landing, though low-visibility landings are frequently done by major airlines in the West.

The special certification for pilots to make low-visibility landings, a common international requirement, applies to situations where visibility drops to 350 meters or less.

via China Says Pilot Should Be Able to Land in Low Visibility, Battling High Traffic and Pollution – China Real Time Report – WSJ.

Posted in China alert, Ecology, Economics, Environment, greenhouse gas, Pollution, Weather forecast | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries  |  
CCChang

Law of Unintended Consequences

continuously updated blog about China & India

ChiaHou's Book Reviews

continuously updated blog about China & India

What's wrong with the world; and its economy

continuously updated blog about China & India